{"id":1535,"date":"2020-08-15T06:35:23","date_gmt":"2020-08-15T13:35:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=1535"},"modified":"2023-01-16T14:50:17","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T22:50:17","slug":"how-to-find-a-piano-teacher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-find-a-piano-teacher\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find a Piano Teacher"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>So you\u2019ve purchased your first piano, bought your first few books, and have some songs in mind. The next step is to find a piano teacher! That trusted mentor to guide you on your new musical journey!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finding your first piano teacher can be challenging. Teachers, like people, come in all stripes. Fees can vary widely between teachers too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article will give you a head start on finding the right piano teacher, whether that is a real human you see once a week or an online program you can log on to any time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>What to Look For in a Piano Teacher<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first step in finding the perfect piano teacher near you is to define your expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Piano teaching styles can differ. An undergraduate music student will have very different needs from a beginner who just wants to have fun playing songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So before you begin looking for teachers, make decisions about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><b>Your budget.<\/b> How much are you willing to pay for lessons? Fees for in-person instructors can range from $20\/lesson to $60 and above depending on teacher expertise, but online lessons like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pianote<\/a> can begin at $3.79 a week.<\/li><li><b>Logistics.<\/b> How far are you willing to go for your lesson? Some teachers will come to you, but this may cost more. Online teachers and programs can also eliminate commutes.<\/li><li><b>Musical style.<\/b> Classical music teachers may approach the piano very differently from pop or jazz teachers.<\/li><li><b>Teaching style.<\/b> Serious students may want a teacher who pushes them and holds them accountable. But casual learners may prefer a more relaxed teacher who will find songs to suit their interests.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-default is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>No matter what you need, it\u2019s incredibly important to find a piano teacher who is <i>encouraging<\/i>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Your piano teacher can demand lots of homework, but if they have an awesome sense of humor, is encouraging, and introduces you to pieces that fit your skills and tastes, you will still have a good time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Featured%20Box%20images\/you%20can%20play%20piano.jpg\"><center><h3>\ud83c\udfb9 Getting Started on the Piano<\/h3><\/center><p>Get started on the right foot (or rather, hand). Get four FREE lessons that will take you from sitting down on the piano for the first time to playing your first song.<\/p><p><\/p><center><a class=\"join\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/getting-started\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TRY IT OUT<\/a><p><\/p><\/center><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Where to Find a Piano Teacher<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many people still find piano teachers by word of mouth, so ask your friends, other parents at your child\u2019s school, local Facebook groups, or your Church\u2019s musical department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also find a piano teacher at music institutions and musical retailers. These teachers may be more expensive if the institution takes a cut of the fees, but you\u2019ll be sure to get a teacher who has met the institution\u2019s standard of qualifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, you can find piano lessons online. We\u2019ll talk more about the pros and cons of online piano lessons in a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2020\/How%20To%20Find%20A%20Piano%20Teacher\/sincerely-media-Y6EkEgZWDAc-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"Man playing the piano\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>How Much Do Piano Teachers Cost?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Music teacher fees can vary depending on the teacher\u2019s experience, skill level, and student expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the low end, teachers with intermediate piano experience who teach casual learners can charge as low as $20 per lesson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, teachers with advanced degrees who mentor soon-to-be professionals can charge more than $60 per lesson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><i>For context, here are a few examples of lesson costs:<\/i><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(I suspect these numbers may be \u201cper lesson\u201d rather than \u201cper hour,\u201d so for a more accurate overview, check your local job board.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>According to Payscale.com, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Piano_Teacher\/Hourly_Rate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">median wage for piano teachers in the U.S.A.<\/a> is $35.71\/hour<\/li><li>In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/CA\/Job=Piano_Teacher\/Hourly_Rate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Canada<\/a>, this number is $38.74\/hour<\/li><li>The average wage for U.K. piano teachers is \u00a323.85\/hour, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indeed.co.uk\/salaries\/piano-teacher-Salaries,-England\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Indeed<\/a><\/li><li>The <a href=\"http:\/\/pianoteachersfederation.org\/about_us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Piano Teachers Federation<\/a> in Metro Vancouver organizes teachers into four tiers: $39 and under, $40-49, $50-59, and $60+<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.long-mcquade.com\/lessons\/British_Columbia\/Vancouver\/Piano&amp;OnlineLessonsOnly=0#coordinators-section\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Long &amp; McQuade,<\/a> a local music retailer in Metro Vancouver, charges between $25 and $30 per half-hour lesson<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><i>Online piano lessons can be substantially cheaper!<\/i><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can see, piano lessons can add up to be quite expensive. Weekly $20 lessons means spending around $80 a month and $1040 a year. With $60 lessons, this amounts to $240 a month and more than $3000 a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Luckily, there is a much cheaper option available today thanks to the Internet: online piano lessons!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Online piano lessons like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pianote<\/a> cost a fraction of in-person teachers and prices are competitive. For just $3.79 a week, you can take piano lessons at your own pace without worrying about commuting or scheduling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, a month of Pianote lessons can cost less than a single in-person lesson. But is there a catch? Since they\u2019re so much more expensive, are in-person lessons better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s take a deeper look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2020\/How%20To%20Find%20A%20Piano%20Teacher\/MLplaying.jpg\" alt=\"Woman taking online piano lessons\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Online Piano Lessons vs. In-Person Teachers: Pros and Cons<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While it\u2019s difficult to replicate the individualized, tailored approach of an in-person mentor, online lessons do have plenty of advantages, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Ability to access piano lessons whenever, wherever you want<\/li><li>Progressing at your own pace<\/li><li>Substantially lower costs in comparison to hiring an in-person teacher<\/li><li>Access to fun software, discussion forums, song libraries, and other resources, depending on what platform you use<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, there are distinct advantages to having a human teacher sit next to you. Humans can point out mistakes and bad habits (like bad posture) as soon as they spot them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We also each have our own different learning styles, and a good human teacher will pick up on this to tailor their teaching style to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But if you are a casual learner or if you\u2019re saving up for formal lessons but just want to get started ASAP, online piano lessons have a lot to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Combine In-Person and Virtual Piano Lessons!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One way to get the best out of both worlds is to simply use both virtual lessons and an in-person teacher!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have the budget, you can visit a human teacher once a week (or once a month, to save money) and get personalized mentoring from someone who can show you core concepts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, at home, you can practice those core concepts with online resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This not only gives you the best of both worlds, it makes you more involved and intentional in your practice sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-default is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Remember: as a Pianote member you can ask for personalized feedback from real teachers in our Student Reviews section!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, there\u2019s no harm if you discover at some point that you and your teacher don\u2019t fit. It happens! Just be honest and take another look at where your needs are. Redefine your expectations and explore other ways to learn. You could try again to find a piano teacher, or decide to give online lessons a go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learning piano is a journey, and with the right teacher to guide you, it will be a fun, fulfilling, and successful one where you get to play pieces you enjoy and feel accomplished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe class=\"email-form-include-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weekly-email\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to find a piano teacher that fits your needs and goals. What to look for in a piano teacher.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":1326,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1108],"tags":[1069],"class_list":["post-1535","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-musicianship","tag-gsotp"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1535","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1535"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1535\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6249,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1535\/revisions\/6249"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1535"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1535"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}